Dizziness, headaches, foggy, pressure in head & plugged ears

It's happening again, everyday it's the same thing and I don't know how to calm myself down. I think when ever I get these feeling I am going to pass out and die instantly. The dizziness gets so bad I have to hold my head and close my eyes I don't understand it. I always think I'm having a heart attack, stroke, blood clot in my head or cancer all the time because doctors still don't know why I get these symptoms. I get anxiety so bad because of the pain I get and I keep thinking the worse things. I keep thinking that i am getting the wrong diagnosis from the doctors and if I ignore the pain it is actually something serious then it's too late to do anything about it.

Tests that I got done in the last 3 years were: xray of my head and neck, mri of head, numerous blood work. I have done physio, chiro, acupuncture and massage therapy. Only thing that kind of helps is massage therapy which is what I am still doing now.

I am getting no answers and just worrying everyday. I just want these symptoms to go away I want my life back I don't feel like the same person anymore.

Hello there Salsagirl,  Ben here.

18MAY15 @ 9:45pm East USA time

Please try to calm down and get into a "safe" position where things don't upset you so much.  Where the symptoms subside somewhat, then stay there for a while until you can think a little more clearly.  For me it's lieing down on my Left side, head up on a large pillow.  Then, tell yourself what ever is wrong, it can't be so serious as those things, your imagination is running things.

Next, try to think about the different types of things that you mentioned and try to eliminate them one by one.  For example, if you think it has something to do with your heart, try to measure your heart rate.  Check your blood pressure.  Try to do the same thing with those other things too.  

Try to think logically.  You surely don't have cancer  or a stroke, because they would have seen it in the scans or blood work. Try to do this type of thinking with the other ideas too. Eventually you may be able to calm yourself to the point where you arn't thinking about those terrible possibilities, because logically they have no merit.

Dizziness and foggy head are not life threatening symptoms in your case because the doctors have been looking directly at the life threatening causes of those things.  My symptoms were dizziness and foggy head, and I also had a full feeling in my ears.  Those are normal symptoms for Vestibualr neuritis and Labyrinthitis. They can be controlled somewhat with decongestants even if it means steriodal anti inflamitory drugs.  If over the counter stuff isn't working, there are stronger ones the doc can prescribe. 

Remember the doctors run all those tests and diagnostics to eliminate possibilities one by one.  You must get a hold of yourself and believe that they know what they are doing and that you don't have one of the dreaded things you mentioned. 

If  you can, focus your thaughts on those things that are not so serious, like the dizziness is coming from BPPV, or Vestubular inflamation.  Something that can be overcome without serious operations.  

For a moral booster, when you do get calmed down, try to go to the web site where Dr. Carol Foster of Univ. Colorado, tells about her bout with Menieres' and how she had to have the nerve cut, (that's a very serious plan of attack) only  then she was hit with BPPV,.   Read how she felt, what she did in her studies, and how she devised a self-help maneuver to stop that menace. I ask you to read her account because it might give you the courage to believe, and try to get into see someone that will help this time.  

I hope you can get in to see a doctor even if you have to get someone to take you and go to an emergency room.  Your situation sounds like you really need to get professional help soon.  You need to stop some of the things that are bothering you like the fullness in your ears and the headaches, so you arn't so overwhelmed with everything all at once.  

One last thing, You might consider keeping a diary or daily log of how you feel, and  of each episode, and the doctor visits.  That way you can  go back and relive the previous "attacks" and read what the doctors have said about them and the tests and the test results.  This should give you a logical way to see if you are over reacting and clear up some of the mystery as to whether or not some things are for sure not there. 

Salsagirl, I sincerely feel for you, your insecurity is normal for someone who is dealing with dizziness for the first few times, especially if you are young.  Try to believe you will get help and relief if you can just keep on trying.  I wish you well asap.

Ben 

Salsagirl--I am so sorry...what a terrible thing to experience over and over again.  Sometimes severe dizziness like that can be related to an inner ear infection but I am not a doctor, just concerned.  It might be a good idea to monitor your blood pressure with at home and keep a record of it so that you see if you're having spikes in your blood pressure that can cause dizziness and some of the other symptoms you mentioned.  Doctors like it when you can hand them a sort of blood pressure journal so they can see what's going on.  Most important thing is to find a doctor who will listen to you and help.  Take care and post an update if you can...

Thank you so much. That did make me feel better.

I have been writting in a diary. I am hoping since I am seeing my doctor again that she can send me to a specialist and I can show them how I have been tracking my episodes.

Yes I have gone to the emergency 3 times in the past year. I had a panic attack once and thought I was having a heart attack. They checked my blood and did an xray of my lungs and found nothing. They said it was anxiety. I know for a fact my dizziness is not anxiety, or the pressure in my ears or headaches. I understand the heart racing, sweatyness and over thinking is my anxiety though.

I don't want to take meds because I don't want to be addicted. I already feel dizzy so I don't want the after effects of getting more dizzy after taking meds.

I am seeing my doctor tomorrow. I will keep you updated and let you guys know what she says.

Thank you for your response. You did calm me down a bit which helped.

That's true I am going to try that. Totally, I feel like my doctor just thinks it's anxiety and that's it's all in my head but why would I make something up? I want to live my life normally and not feel this way so I am not on purpose going to do that. Anyways if she doesn't send me to a specialist I think I might see another doctor because I honestly feel like she is not listening to me at all.

Hi Salsa girl, all the things you mention, I have and mine is silent migraine, or migraine associated vertigo.  Im told the symptoms are text book and are nothing to worry about.  Once i understood that, I felt a bit better.  I had two panic attacks also.  I thought I had MS but I was glad it turned out to be migraine.  I think anything to do with your eyes and balance are scarey and are frightening when you try to go out.  Ive had it two and a half years now and it has improved.  Ive tried about 9 medications but most of them make me feel depressed.  Some of them might have worked but I wasnt able to give them a chance.  As Ben said, all the tests that have been done would have shown up anything serious or life threatening.  Dont worry, I have exactly the same symptoms weird as they are.  I think its just that you dont bump into people in real life with the same stuff.  You need to see a neurologist.  The medications should work for you, your much younger than me.  Dont stress, it makes it much worse.  You are fine - nothing to be scared about.  xx

Thanks for your comment Paula. I'm curious how did you find out you had silent migraines. Did you see a specialist and they told you, you had this? Yes I saw my doctor again and she is sending me to a neurologist and a ENT specialist. Appointment is not until Dec. 2 I don't know why it's so far away I wish it was sooner, I'm so tired in feeling this way. Today I had really bad symptoms, I had preassure in head again, sharp pain in ears, dizziness and such a stiff neck. It's was so hard to concentrate at work today. I hope I can get some answers with the specialist. For now my doctor is prescribing me vertigo pills but I find they are not helping yet.

Have you been tested for Lyme disease? 

Hey salsagirl20, it's been 3 weeks i am having these symptoms. What's your status now? Were they able to identify the cause?

Any news on the follow up guys, i have literally the exact same symptoms, currently in the navy and this sucks to feel this way everyday its taking over my life and i just want these symptoms to end. Any solutions????

anybody found out anything? im having the same symptoms but worse. im having slight tingling and weakness on my left side. much more alarming i know but i ive been hospitalized last year and my neuro who is a stroke specialist also said that all my scans and tests are clear and its just a silent migraine. i just gave birth 2 months ago and im having the same symptoms now. im scared to even carry my child im case somthing happens. i

Havent received any news yet but ill let you know. I have a follow up this week. From what i see, we all have anxiety in common so the fear we feel might be attributed to that, i think we just have to understand that the body has its complications from time to time. The tingeling on the left side is a problem i share as well. Check to see if its a circulation problem. If you sleep on your side or have a tendency to sleep with an elevated pillow then that might be the cause too. I just got a better pillow and created a barrier in my bed to get accustomed to sleeping face up. It has helped in the last week. Dont worry to much, keep your appointments and try some home remedies like throwing vicks vapor rub in a boiling pot to inhale the fumes, it helps with the silent headaches.

Hi sorry I didn't get back to you two sooner. No news... I am seeing my doctor again this Thursday and have still been feeling the same. I will let you know if she tells me anything or runs any tests on me. Let me know how your visit to the doctor goes too!

I am having all of these symptoms. They came on suddenly May 7th and continue today. Some days are better than others.I have seen an ENT, 2 audiologists and have an appointment with nuerology in August. I pray that I will get some answers  so I can go back to a normal life again soon.

There are so many of us looking for this same information. Why can't SOMEONE diagnose this? I know I am suffering with this too. The only time I feel better is when laying down. It's been almost a year since this has gotten really bad, and still no doctors have any idea what's up. WHY? Do we have some new disease or something?

Hi Shihtzumom - this has been diagnosed.  See my earlier reply.  Its all part of migraine.  I know that sounds bizarre but its true.  Its caused by excess electricity in the brain stem and whatever it crosses, thats the weird symptoms you get.  Ive had this 4 years now.  GPs and ENTs dont know enough about it , if anything, you need a neuro.  Then its a matter of getting the right meds.  Im on fourth round of botox and gabapentin.  Its helped a lot. Not dizzy in day now just evening.  Weird head symptoms gone.  Its about the 9th med Ive tried.  I only feel better lying down too.  Go onto facebook website - Vestibular Migraine Professional and/or MAV migraine associated vertigo.  You will see all the symptoms are exactly the same as yours.  I found it hard to believe at first but the more you study it and the conferences you attend, you will see its correct.  So it has been diagnosed and all the info is out there. 

How are you feeling now I am 58 yr old female with same symptoms as you squeezing like being in a vice on top of head dizzyness dull ear pain deep inside right ear neck pain shoulder pain fatigue vice had this for wee. Was told had post viral fatigue and too rest I haven't got a cold but did have a chest infection four weeks ago 

I can totally understand how you are feeling the dizziness is hard to explain I can't concentrate only relief is lying down but when I turn head it starts again can't go outside as when walk it makes me feel as though I'm going to pass out

I recently presented with the same symptoms. I nearly passed out at work in July and was taken to the hospital. They did all kinds of tests to make sure I wasn't having a heart attack or stroke. I also get a low heart rate at times. My test came back good. Now I'm wearing a heart monitor and just completed a stress test. I get head pressure when I stand and start walking and my ears feel full. I feel off balance too. So incredibly frustrating!

It is very worrying isn't it, one of my ears feels full I've no cold at the moment the dizzy ness comes and goes at this moment of time the pain isn't as bad nor is my head pressure today but when it comes it's like wearing a hard hat that's too small a pressure like squeezing on the top of my head x